RESPONDING TO RESEARCHERS' AND FACULTY USE PATTERNS AND PERCEPTIONS OF CDROM SERVICES Available to Purchase

This paper provides a brief report on a study of faculty and researchers' use patterns and perceptions of CDROM services at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) Library in Saudi Arabia, as background information to measures taken as a result of the study. The main objectives of the study were to ascertain use patterns and perceptions of CDROM services: another objective was to elicit comments which would be used in developing a planning strategy to expand and enhance CDROM services. Two main methods were used in the study: CDROM search forms and a questionnaire survey. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the faculty had used CDROM services; they felt satisfied with the service but also felt that there was a strong need for user training. Several problematic areas have been identified including need for new vision CDROM hardware and software systems, publicity, user training and document delivery. The report then considers measures that have been taken to address the problematic areas and discusses how effective those remedial actions have been. The paper concludes that the KFUPM Library planned and developed user‐oriented services in response to the findings of the study, but still faces further challenges in developing a CDROM service that is fully integrated with other electronic resources and services.